Tech Coast Angels is the largest angel investor group in the United States, possessing more than 300 members in five networks in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Central Coast, and the Inland Empire. Its members provide funding and guidance to more early-stage, high-growth companies in Southern California than any other investment group.  Members invest in companies in a wide range of industries, including the life sciences, biotech, IT, services, retail, Internet, financial, software, media, consumer products, and tech startups. TCA as a whole gives companies more than just capital; they also provide counsel, mentoring, and access to an extensive network of potential investors, customers, strategic partners, and management talent.   Tech Coast Angels has been ranked by CB Insights to be among the Top 20 Angel Groups in the US; TCA was also ranked as #1 for Network Centrality, meaning we have more connections than anyone! If you are in the game-changing business, we are here to help.

Tech Coast Angels

ClearVision Equity is a Venture Capital firm that provides capital and sophisticated resources to accelerate company growth and create long-term business success. ClearVision Equity is focused on companies with investments in both start-ups and small growing companies across all industries except pharma and biotech. Venture capital investments are between Seed and Series B rounds. ClearVision adds to the competitive edge of its portfolio companies with a broad network of partners (marketing, finance & accounting, HR, legal, etc.), talented employees and executives, experienced advisors, and a network of capital providers.

ClearVision Equity

Capital and intellectual value that measurably moves companies forward.

Seed San Diego

Cultivation Capital is a venture capital firm that manages a family of funds focused on early-stage investing. Most of our initial investments are during a startup’s Seed or Series A phase, and our initial checks range from $500k – $3.5M. Our industries of focus include life sciences and health tech, software and IT, agriculture tech, and geospatial tech.

Cultivation Capital

eonCapital is a Colorado-based venture capital investment firm focused on innovative SaaS-based startups. It assists entrepreneurs in launching and developing various web-based businesses, providing them with internet marketing strategy and web development services.

eonCapital

Stage Agnostic | Technology + Life Science

Moore Venture Partners

PeakSpan focuses exclusively on growth stage, B2B/enterprise software companies. The firm invests in companies that serve the full spectrum of buyers from small businesses to large enterprises. PeakSpan's research, network development, and learning are focused on the sectors their entrepreneurs live in. As a result, they bring a rich portfolio of assets to the table relevant to all of the companies with whom they partner.

PeakSpan Capital

Rady Venture Fund is an evergreen fund. It specializes to invest in seed-to-early stage companies. It seeks to invest in life sciences and biotech including medical devices, instrumentation and diagnostics; high-tech; information technology; communication; water purification; and clean technology sectors. The fund prefers to invest in companies based in San Diego or Southern California. It makes equity investments ranging between $75,000 and $0.15 million. The fund prefers to invest in equity or provide debt financing, mostly in the form of convertible debt.

Rady Venture Fund

TTCER Partners is an experienced group of investors and operators with roots in Asurion that builds premium enterprises by collaborating with entrepreneurs.

TTCER Partners

Viking Global Investors is an investment firm that uses fundamental analysis to select investments across industries and geographies. It is a global investment firm managing more than twenty billion in capital across long-short equity and long-only strategies. The firm was established in 1999 and is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, with offices in New York City, Hong Kong, and London.

Viking Global Investors

Recruit Co., Ltd. (株式会社リクルート) is a classified advertisement, publication and human resources company in Japan, founded in 1963 originally as an advertisement company specialized in university newspapers.  (Source: [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recruit_%28company%29))

Recruit Holdings

Counterpart Ventures is a life cycle VC fund, focused on investing in authentic relationships and built on implicit trust with its founders. It invests in B2B SaaS, mobility, and marketplace technologies that target nontrivial problems or fill missing gaps in large markets.  The company was founded in 2018 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Counterpart Ventures

SoftBank Vision Fund is a subsidiary of Softbank Group that specializes in growth capital and social impact investments. Sectors that the fund invests in include the internet of things, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, communications infrastructure, telecoms, computational biology, biotech, cloud technologies and software, consumer internet businesses, financial technology, and mobile apps. The Fund is designed to be a catalyst for technology progress in anticipation that it will expand SoftBank's capabilities, accelerating progress towards SoftBank 2.0. It aims to invest in businesses and foundational platforms that SoftBank believes to revolutionize and innovate the world tomorrow.

SoftBank Vision Fund

Echo Street Capital was founded in 2002 and is an alternative asset management firm with a differentiated investment and portfolio management approach that has produced strong returns over time. With the help of 31 total team members, we manage over $14B of AUM. Echo Street Capital is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Echo Street Capital

Walleye Capital provides tailored investment strategies, hedge funds, risk management, and wealth management advisory services. It aims to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns through a diversified portfolio of dozens of highly uncorrelated strategies. WOF participates in four core strategy groups, including Equity Long/Short, Tactical, Quantitative, and Volatility strategies.  It was founded in 2005 and is based in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Walleye Capital

Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds’ mission is to power every property globally with our integrated, cloud-based hospitality management platform. We empower independent hoteliers and hosts with the technology they need to grow their revenue, streamline operations, and deliver memorable guest experiences with confidence and ease via better technology. Cloudbeds was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Cloudbeds is a cloud-based hospitality management software designed for hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. The software integrates multiple business operations like operations, revenue, distribution, and growth marketing into a single cloud-based tool. Hospitality businesses use systems consisting of disconnected, outdated software programs that require manual data entry and don't work together. This is the main problem that Cloudbeds aims to solve by unifying all their crucial business functions into a unified, cloud-based solution.

Travel Tech

Cloudbeds unveils AI-driven tech to improve hotel decision making

Sojern

To streamline hotel operations and increase direct bookings through enhanced tracking and personalized marketing features across Sojern's travel advertising and Cloudbeds' property management system.

Providers of technology-enabled solutions to enhance the guest experience, such as contactless and automated check-in services.

To deliver a cutting-edge revenue management solution that combines Cloudbeds' hospitality management platform and IDeaS' revenue management capabilities, a subsidiary of SAS Institute, enabling independent hotels to enhance operational efficiency, pricing accuracy, and revenue generation.

Providers of technology-based solutions for accommodation providers, tour/experience operators to optimize revenue and operations.

Amadeus

To enhance distribution capabilities and streamline operations for hotels worldwide by integrating Cloudbeds' hospitality platform with Amadeus iHotelier's central reservation system.

Cloudbeds is a cloud-based hospitality management software designed for hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. The software integrates multiple business operations like operations, revenue, distribution, and growth marketing into a single cloud-based tool. Hospitality businesses use systems consisting of disconnected, outdated software programs that require manual data entry and don't work together. This is the main problem that Cloudbeds aims to solve by unifying all their crucial business functions into a unified, cloud-based solution.Cloudbeds can receive bookings through various channels, including online travel agencies like Booking.com and Expedia, online booking engines like Facebook, or walk-in customers. The software features a calendar that displays all room reservations and allows users to track which guests made changes, cancellations, or adjustments to a reservation. The solution can synchronize inventory with booking engines, OTAs, and other online marketplaces automatically. The company generates revenue using a subscription-based model and serves over 22,000 global customers across 157 countries, as of November 2021.Cloudbeds’ acquisitions include the guest engagement solution, Whistle (June 2022), which it integrated to improve its offering and website builder for vacation rentals, and OneRooftop (October 2017).Key customers and partnershipsCloudbeds key customers included Town &amp; Country Stowe, Roadside Hospitality, The ZERO Hotels and Urbana Sathorn.As of February 2023, Cloudbeds had more than 300 integrations with booking channels. It expanded its offering to Latin America through partnerships with PriceTravel Holding (November 2022) and CVC Corp (June 2022), followed by partnerships with B2B marketplaces in Australia (Hero Travel, March 2022), and the Netherlands (Katanox, August 2021).Funding and financialsIn November 2021, Cloudbeds raised USD 150 million in funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The funds were used to increase R&amp;D efforts, invest in education and advocacy, and expand the engineering, product, and sales teams.

Sonder is a short-term rental startup that acquires and refurbishes apartments in popular urban areas and offers them for rent through various channels, including Airbnb, Expedia, and its own website. The company typically enters into three- to five-year leases (including fixed leases and mixed leases) or revenue-sharing agreements with landlords to occupy entire floors of buildings. Sonder’s contracts include provisions that reduce rates during economic downturns, such as a clause that decreased rents by 8% during the pandemic. Unlike other home-sharing firms that have faced difficulties with local lodging regulations, Sonder either holds hotel licenses or operates in buildings that permit short-term rentals.&nbsp;Its apartments offer hotel amenities, such as professional cleaning services, fresh designs, and a concierge service accessible through an app. With the help of its app and digital door locks, guests can check-in to their rooms without any face-to-face interactions. As a result, Sonder's offering was well-suited for maintaining social distance during the pandemic. Sonder aims to extend its reach by expanding to other regions, including Asia. Sonder is also planning to broaden its offerings to include properties such as resorts, villas, and residences. Moreover,&nbsp; Sonder aims to establish a franchise model and sell its software solutions to outside operators. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20463">July 2023 </a>, Sonder launched its first hotel collection, ‘Powered by Sonder’, a collection of boutique hotels, each with its own distinctive design aesthetic, utilizing Sonder's technology and operated by the company.&nbsp;As of January 2023, Sonder served more than one million guests in more than 9,000 live units, across more than 40 cities and 10 countries. It expected to grow its portfolio to 56,000 units by 2024.&nbsp;In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27990">March 2024 </a>, Sonder lost some properties to competing companies such as Kasa Living, Placemakr, AvantStay, and Blueground. The shift in property management occurred after Sonder attempted to renegotiate lease terms or exit from master leases.&nbsp;Key customers and partnerships<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/32761">In August 2024</a>, Sonder signed a licensing agreement to sell 9,000+ of its units to Marriott International with plans to integrate an additional 1,500 units into the Marriott system in the future. Previously,In September 2022, Sonder partnered with RateGain Travel technologies to strengthen its presence on the GDS by introducing its own dedicated chain code titled SS. The company also partnered with Hotel Engine, a lodging performance network, to offer its services to its network of over 550,000 business travelers (October 2021).&nbsp;

Sonder

Ukio is a Barcelona-based company that provides short-term rental apartments directed at remote workers and other professionals on the move. Ukio offers rental apartments for stays ranging 1–11 months, with an average stay of four to five months. Guests can book for a set period and have the option to extend their stay through the company's online platform. Ukio signs 7- to 10-year leases for its apartments with individual property owners, real estate developers, and family offices.Ukio’s rentals range from EUR 1,750–5,000 (~USD 1,900–5,400) per month. The monthly payment covers utilities, maintenance, taxes, and all the standard amenities included in a hotel stay. Each apartment includes a concierge and reception area, with some having additional services, such as weekly-cleaning facilities. As of August 2024, Ukio operated in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin and Paris and planned to expand to other cities such as London, and Dublin.

Ukio

NUMA (formerly known as Cosi) is a German provider of alternative accommodation that offers short-term rental units in over 3,000 locations in cities like Berlin, Munich, Rome, and Vienna. The company signs long-term leases with property owners and remodels the apartments by furnishing and designing the interiors, before renting them out as a hotel alternative. NUMA uses automation and smart pricing to increase occupancy rates and provides a comprehensive digital service for the entire guest experience by reducing booking and check-in/checkout timing to less than 60 seconds. NUMA differentiates itself from similar companies like Sonder by targeting a broader demographic and offering a “tech franchise” solution called “NUMA Go,” where third-party hoteliers can use NUMA's technology for a share of their revenue. NUMA also offers B2B travel solutions through its dedicated corporate booking team and its offering of corporate travel rates.In June 2021, NUMA expanded its services to Spain, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic by acquiring local short-term rental provider, Friendly Rentals. NUMA planned to further expand its operations in existing and new markets, such as France, the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic region. Additionally, NUMA made plans to enter the Portuguese market with the opening of a 77-unit hotel in Lisbon in Q2 2024.

numa

TravelPerk offers business travel options for customers. TravelPerk is headquartered in Barcelona and has additional offices in London, Berlin, Chicago, and Miami. The platform uses proprietary technology to provide booking, management, and reporting for business trips. It allows travellers to compare and book various modes of transportation, such as trains, cars, flights, hotels and apartments from various providers including KAYAK, Skyscanner, Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb. The company aims to provide flexibility to travellers while giving companies control over travel expenses.In November 2021, TravelPerk launched “TravelPerk Events” to bring dispersed teams together for face-to-face meetings. To make in-person meetings more sustainable, TravelPerk also provides customers with the option to estimate their carbon footprint and neutralize their emissions, achieving this through the acquisition of Susterra (September 2021). This also includes GreenPerk, a sustainability tool that directly reduces carbon emissions through initiatives run by its partner, Atmosfair. Other notable acquisitions included that of AmTrav (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates?industryIds=101">June 2024</a>), UK-based rival, Click Travel (July 2021) and US-based rival, NexTravel (January 2021).TravelPerk uses a subscription- and commission-based business model that includes a freemium plan, with paid plans starting at USD 99 per month and commission fees starting at 3% per booking.Key customers and partnershipsTravelPerk struck a partnership with Southwest Airlines in January 2021 to broaden its US-based inventory, becoming one of the first non-US travel management companies to enter a partnership with the airline company. Other partners include Lufthansa Group Airlines, Midnight Trains, Divvy, and Skyscanner.TravelPerk doubled its customer acquisition rate in 2020 and catered to more than 6,000 businesses, including brands like Wise, Farfetch, GetYourGuide, and Monzo, as of September 2024

TravelPerk

Omio is a Berlin-based travel platform that allows users to search, compare and book transportation options across Europe, the US, and Canada. Founded in 2013 as GoEuro, the company rebranded to Omio in 2019 to reflect its expanded global presence. Omio's platform aggregates and displays train, bus, flight, ferry and car rental options from over 1,000 transportation providers across 37 countries. Users can compare routes, prices, and travel times across different modes of transport in a single search.The company's technology integrates directly with transportation providers to offer real-time pricing and availability. Omio generates revenue through commissions on bookings as well as service fees. As of 2022, Omio's platform facilitated enough ticket sales to fill 30 trains and 300 buses daily. The company has seen significant growth, with ticket bookings in 2022 reaching 140% above pre-pandemic levels. Omio has also observed a shift toward mobile bookings, with 80% of tickets now purchased via its mobile app.Key customers and partnershipsOmio has partnerships with hundreds of transportation companies across Europe and North America, including major providers like Renfe, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Flixbus, and Amtrak. In 2022, Omio partnered with Uber to integrate its inventory into the Uber app in the UK, allowing Uber users to book train and coach tickets. In 2023, Omio collaborated with Ecosia to launch a "tree-planting rail travel search tool" that promotes train travel as a more sustainable transport option. Omio has also integrated its booking capabilities into platforms like Kayak and Huawei devices.&nbsp;In August 2024, Omio announced a partnership with Ryanair to sell the airline's tickets as an approved online travel agent.

Omio

Platforms to search, compare, plan, and/or book flights, hotels, buses, trains and travel packages.

Platforms to search, compare, plan, and book alternative lodging in privately owned properties, including apartments and homes

Platforms to search, compare, plan, and book tours, events, and other travel-related recreational activities

Providers of corporate travel management solutions that help businesses with planning, controlling, tracking, and reporting on business travel activities, as well as distribution solutions and B2B booking engines

Car rental and ride-sharing solutions for long-distance travel

Providers of battery-powered luggage products equipped with technologies such as USB charging, built-in scales, TSA-approved locks, and real-time location tracking via GPS and cellular networks

Some solutions under the B2B travel solutions segment operate under a B2B SaaS model

Some online search/booking and revenue management solutions use AI/ML for product development

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 Sojern, a travel marketing platform, and Cloudbeds, a hospitality management software provider, have partnered to integrate their respective hotel technology solutions. Through this amalgamation, Sojern's travel advertising and guest experience solutions can function smoothly with Cloudbeds' property management system. This will enable hotels to utilize demand-oriented advertising over digital channels and only pay after a guest's stay. It also offers tools for advanced customer segmentation and for executing efficient loyalty marketing across multiple properties.
 The collaboration is intended to simplify hotel operations and boost direct bookings by offering better tracking capabilities and personalized marketing features on both platforms.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 This integration between Sojern and Cloudbeds could simplify travel marketers’ access to data, enhancing the ability to reach potential guests more efficiently.

Cloudbeds

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